Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs Dover Corporation (DOV)
A side-by-side comparison of Costco Wholesale Corporation and Dover Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
Different business models: COST is classified in Consumer Defensive; DOV is classified in Industrials. Margin, capital intensity, and valuation differences should be interpreted in that sector context.
COST
Costco Wholesale Corporation
$966.58Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
DOV
Dover Corporation
$203.08IndustrialsDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — COST vs DOV
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yCOST +11175.1%DOV +2249.0%COST compounded faster
COST DOV
COST vs DOV: by the numbers
- •COST is the larger company ($428.66B vs $27.35B market cap).
- •DOV trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (24.86 vs 47.87 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •DOV converts more revenue to profit (13.48% vs 3.01% net margin).
- •COST grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.48% vs 2.54% CAGR).
- •DOV pays the higher dividend yield (1.01% vs 0.56%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | COST | DOV |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 47.87 | 24.86 |
| Forward P/E | 46.33 | 19.27 |
| P/S ratio | 1.44 | 3.31 |
| P/B ratio | 12.62 | 3.62 |
| PEG ratio | 5.23 | 2.27 |
| EV / EBITDA | 29.89 | 17.14 |
| FCF yield | 2.08% | 4.21% |
Profitability
| Metric | COST | DOV |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 12.88% | 39.58% |
| Operating margin | 3.82% | 16.87% |
| Net margin | 3.01% | 13.48% |
| ROE | 26.38% | 14.73% |
| ROIC | 19.44% | 9.40% |
Dividends
| Metric | COST | DOV |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.56% | 1.01% |
| Payout ratio | 29.44% | 26.10% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | COST | DOV |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.48% | 2.54% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 15.04% | 10.95% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.95% | 2.56% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 18.31% | 6.04% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, COST or DOV?
- DOV has the lower trailing P/E: COST trades at 47.87 and DOV at 24.86. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, COST or DOV?
- Over the past five years, COST grew revenue faster — COST at a 9.48% CAGR versus DOV at 2.54%.
- Does COST or DOV pay a bigger dividend?
- COST yields 0.56% and DOV yields 1.01% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is COST or DOV more profitable?
- DOV runs the higher net margin — COST at 3.01% versus DOV at 13.48%.
- How have COST and DOV total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, COST delivered 20.06% and DOV delivered 15.37% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Costco Wholesale P/E ratioDover P/E ratioCostco Wholesale dividend yieldDover dividend yieldCostco Wholesale ROEDover ROECostco Wholesale operating marginDover operating marginCostco Wholesale revenue growthDover revenue growthCostco Wholesale free cash flowDover free cash flow
Costco Wholesale & Dover appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified July 28, 2026.